NEW DELHI: Gopinath Munde's sudden death has dealt a harsh blow to the fledgling Narendra Modi government and BJP's plans for Maharashtra assembly polls that are barely four months away.

The early morning crash that killed Munde came at a time when the politician was enjoying renewed relevance in BJP affairs after a lean patch that had seen him even contemplate leaving the party.

Munde's selection for the politically important portfolio of rural development was a careful choice as Modi wanted to give charge of the ministry to a leader with sound grasp of ground realities.

Munde, a backward caste leader from Maharashtra's Marathwada region, knew about impoverishment and rural distress, given his own hands-on experience as a grassroots leader.

If Modi was scouting for a minister who could assess the needs of farmers and rural artisans and ensure that billions of rupees of government funds are well spent, he couldn't have done better than Munde.

Munde's departure will again expose the thin leadership reserves in BJP despite its unprecedented 282 seats in Lok Sabha. It will not be easy for Modi to find a suitable replacement.

(Gopinath Munde taking oath as Union minister on May 26, 2014 in the new Modi government)

(Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying his last respects to Gopinath Munde in New Delhi)

Munde's maturity and calm demeanour made him an important ally in Modi's quest to reshape governance and initiate sweeping changes in the BJP organization. A modern politician despite his subaltern roots, Munde was in sync with Modi over the need to make BJP an up to date, right of centre party.

(Munde's daughter Pankaja and relatives during his funeral procession at BJP's Mumbai office)

The Beed MP was an important part of BJP and Modi's plans for Maharashtra, being the one leader who enjoyed recognition across the state. His grounding in RSS's "cultural nationalism" along with his OBC credentials made him very valuable for BJP's bid to woo the numerous backward castes without losing its upper caste appeal.

As deputy chief minister, Munde had acquired a reputation for being an efficient administrator who did not flinch from taking some tough decisions as home minister — he backed the police initiative to crack down on organized crime through a series of encounters.

This time, Munde was very much BJP's CM choice, as his credentials could not be questioned by Shiv Sena on the grounds of capability and experience.

(Gopinath Munde on his wedding day)

If BJP succeeds in rewriting the terms of its political deal with Sena, as it hopes to in the light of winning 28 Lok Sabha seats to its partner's 18, Munde would have been its calling card.

Munde had a good profile among the urban classes, being seen as a leader who did not indulge in the confrontationist politics of rural versus urban.

The late leader's big asset was his relaxed, genial persona that helped him build relationships across party lines, a trait that stood him in good stead. The effusive and emotional testimonials of allies and opponents are evidence of this.

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

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BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Union minister Gopinath Munde died on Tuesday morning in a road accident in New Delhi. His liver was ruptured in the accident and he suffered a cardiac arrest due to shock, says the preliminary postmortem report. (TOI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Gopinath Munde was on his way to the airport when his car was hit by another vehicle at Prithviraj Road-Tughlak road roundabout in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi with senior BJP leader LK Advani and RSS leader Bhaiya Joshi while paying their last respect to the mortal remains of Munde. (PTI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Union home minister Rajnath Singh paying his last respect to the mortal remains of Union minister Gopinath Munde at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Gopinath Munde is survived by his wife and three daughters, one of whom is an MLA from Parli in Maharashtra's Beed district. Pankaja Munde Palve (L), daughter of Gopinath Munde, weeps beside her father's casket at BJP headquarters in New Delhi. (Reuters photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

HRD minister Smriti Irani consoles the daughter of Gopinath Munde after paying respect to his mortal remains at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. (PTI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Gopinath Munde's cremation would take place on Wednesday at his native place in Parli, Maharasthra. Munde's son pays his respects over the mortal remains of his father. (TOI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje while paying their last respect to the mortal remains of Gopinath Munde at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. (PTI photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

PM Narendra Modi speaks to the relatives of Gopinath Munde in New Delhi. (AP photo)

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

BJP veteran Gopinath Munde dies

The mortal remains of Gopinath Munde being brought at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. (TOI photo)

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